Congress OKs More Than $590M for Panhandle Military Construction Projects

In Brief:

🏗️ Congress authorized more than $590 million in military construction projects across five Panhandle installations
✈️ Eglin Air Force Base would receive the largest share, with funding tied to the F-35A program and new facilities
🚒 Tyndall Air Force Base continues its post–Hurricane Michael rebuilding with a new fire and crash rescue station

NICEVILLE — Congress has approved its annual defense policy bill, authorizing hundreds of millions of dollars for military construction projects at several major installations in Florida’s Panhandle, including Eglin Air Force Base, Hurlburt Field, Naval Air Station Pensacola, Naval Air Station Whiting Field and Tyndall Air Force Base.

The National Defense Authorization Act authorizes more than $590 million for projects at the five installations, according to figures released by Sen. Ashley Moody’s office. The bill outlines defense policy priorities for the coming fiscal year and authorizes funding levels for military construction and other Pentagon programs.

Eglin Air Force Base would receive the largest share among the installations, with more than $219 million authorized for a range of projects. Those include funding for new and upgraded facilities supporting the F-35A program, a child development center, a spectrum warfare wing facility and barracks construction.

Hurlburt Field is authorized to receive $66 million for a new intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance mission operations facility.

At Naval Air Station Pensacola, the bill authorizes $164 million for a consolidated “A” School dormitory to modernize housing for enlisted personnel in training.

Naval Air Station Whiting Field is authorized $101.5 million for aviation training infrastructure, including funding toward an advanced helicopter training system hangar and design funding for a child development center.

Tyndall Air Force Base would receive $48 million for a new fire and crash rescue station, continuing the long-term rebuilding of the installation following damage from Hurricane Michael.

The NDAA, which has been enacted annually for more than 60 years, sets military policy and authorizes spending but does not provide actual funding, which must still be approved through the federal appropriations process.